Stewart still enjoys dirt track racing

The intense, often irritable Tony Stewart who races in the Nextel Cup series is very different from the Tony Stewart who shows up as often as he can at some of America’s grass-roots dirt ovals.

This Stewart, owner of two-car teams in the World of Outlaws sprint car series and the U.S. Auto Club’s National Sprint and Midget Car series, as well as iconic Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, is more fan than competitor.

“I just enjoy it,” Stewart said. “I’m passionate about the sport. I’ve always been passionate about all of dirt racing, but it seems like the World of Outlaws series and the USAC series are two that I really enjoy being a part of right now.”

Early in his career Stewart became the first Triple Crown Champion in USAC history, winning all three of its major series in the same year, then went on to win the IndyCar Series title before heading for NASCAR, where the two-time Cup champion is locked in a tense battle for another title.

Heading into Sunday’s race at Martinsville Speedway, the sixth of 10 races in the Chase for the championship, Stewart is fourth in the standings, 198 points behind leader Jeff Gordon.

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